The Doctor’s wonky piloting of the TARDIS once again lands him some place he don’t intend to be, but needs to be in this 8th episode of the new series, “The Hungry Earth”. I’ve come under the distinct impression that the TARDIS has a mind of its own, and makes some of the side trips herself. Anyway, instead of landing to Rio de Janeiro, as promised, the TARDIS lands in the near future in a Welsh village, where a drill is set to pass the 21km mark, the furthest anyone has drilled before. But the Earth doesn’t seem to happy about this, as it first takes a night watchman, and then Amy, sucking them down underground. A barrier then surrounds the village, blocking out the sun, and allowing something to lurk in the ensuing darkness.

This episode is the first of a two parter, so it’s all about set-up. No one really knows what is going on, as strange minerals seep to the surface, and graves are emptied seemingly from underneath. The Doctor, Rory and Amy arrive just as it appears that the ground is fighting back. It’s a good atmospheric episode. There is a lot of suspense as the enemy goes unseen for most of it. The sticking door of the church, while cliché for this kind of episode is put to good use. And no, the sonic screwdriver still doesn’t work on wood.

The reboot of the Silurians aren’t bad so far. Their introduction harkens back to their original appearance back in the 70’s with the 3rd Doctor, as we see things from their perspective, through a mask with an electronic display. Their appearance immediately brought to mind the Narn from Babylon 5, mostly in the shape of the head. The scales and coloring was well done, giving them a very reptilian look. The first Silurian we meet is Alaya, a member of the Warrior class, she spends all of her time (after getting a good verbal smack from the Doctor), taunting the humans, predicting one of them will kill her and start a war between them.

One of the things I really enjoyed was the Doctor’s endless faith in the human race. He sees the encounter with Alaya as an opportunity for humanity to be their best and show the Silurians they are ready for live together in peace. All that has to happen for this is Rory, Ambrose and Tony to keep Alaya safe and unharmed. Is it jaded of me to have spent the entire time thinking that as never going to happen?

Overall this was a good set up for action in the next episode. Rory is really showing himself to be a good companion. Please let us keep a multi-companion TARDIS! Please!!